Apparatus for removing metal capsules from bottles.



' i zmcses Jim W H. 0 BRAUN. APPARATUS FOR REMOVING METAL CAPSULES FROMBOTTLES.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 3,1913- 1,175,697. A I Patented Mar.14,1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

Tm: COLUMBIA s LArgouhAPl C0,. WASHINGTON, a. c.

H. C. BRAUN. APPARATUS FOR REMOVING METAL CAPSULES FROM BOTTLES.

APPLICATION FlLED SEPT. 3, 1913. 1,175,697. Patented Mar. 14, 191,6.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 HENRY CHARLES BRAUN, OF LONDON, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR TOTHE ANGLO-AMERICAN PATENT BOTTLE COMPANY, LIMITED, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 14, 1916.

Application filed September 3, 1913. Serial No. 787,885.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, HENRY CHARLES BRAU asubject of the King of England, residing at 236 Pentonville road, KingsCross, London, England, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Apparatus for Removing Metal Capsules from Bottles; andI do hereby declare-the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same.

It is found in practice that considerable diiiiculty is experienced inremoving hard metal capsules or sleeves such as the aluminium capsulesused for retaining non-refillable stoppers and the like devices, forpreventing or rendering ditficult the fraudulent refilling of bottles,upon the necks of such bottles.

My present invention consists of a simple and efficient apparatus bymeans of which the capsules or sleeves may be easily and quickly removedfrom the bottle without damaging the bottle itself or breaking thestopper portion attached to the top of the V neck of the bottle by meansof said capsule Means may also or sleeve.

In the general way of carrying out my invention I provide a suitabledevice for holding or keeping the bottle in the required position, meansfor preventing the sleeve or capsule from rotating upon or in respect tothe neck of the bottle and a knife or knives or other cutting toolsadapted to be brought upon the said sleeve or capsule and to cut or tearand remove or partially remove such sleeve or capsule from the neck ofthe bottle; the means for preventing the sleeve or capsule rotating inor with respect to the neck of the bottle may be a rubber pad, one ormore fixed or spring controlled knives or the like or the rotation maybe prevented by causing pairs of knives to operate in opposed directionsupon the sleeve or capsule. Additional means may be provided forcompleting the removal of the capsule after the preliminary strippinghas been elfected.

be added for adjusting the bottles or the like of different sizes inposition for stripping in order that the apparatus may be accommodatedfor bottles of different sizes.

' In one particular method of carrying out my invention as applied to anapparatus more especially intended for removing hard metal, such asaluminium capsules, upon a suitable base plate or foundation 1 mount arest of suitable size and form for the reception of a bottle lying uponitsside. This rest which may be of metal or wood is also furnished witha ledge for steadying the bottle when in position. A suitable rest isalso mounted in connection with the base plate for the reception of theneck of the bottle having an adjustable device controlled by a screw orthe like the position of which may be altered so as to accommodate theapparatus for use with bottles of different lengths and size. The restor any of the parts may be covered with leather, vulcanized fiber orother suitable material for diminishing the liability of breakage.Attached to the base plate is a suitable standard which carries abearing coming above the rest for the neck of the bottle. Through thisbearing works a rod carrying at its lower end a block upon two sides ofwhich are pivotally mounted cutting knives of particular formation.These knives are preferably formed of a number of laminae having attheir lower ends wedge or chisel like cutting edges, and comb springspreferably are provided in connection with the block for normallypressing the knives toward one another, suitable stops being furnishedfor keeping them in a substantially parallel position with respect'toone another. The upper end of the rod carrying the block and the knivesis pivoted to a long handle which is again connected directly or bymeans of a link to the upper portion of the framework. The lever formingthe handle is also extended beyond the link or pivot for some distanceand connected by means of a tension spring to some suitable portion ofthe framework.

Mounted upon or in connection with the framework near the adjustabledevice coming against the neck of the bottle is a projecting pin or thelike which may be made adjustable for facilitating the stripping ashereinafter explained. A pedal attachment may be used for lowering thehandle and knives by means of the foot. And in order that my saidinvention may be better understood I will now proceed to describe thesame with reference to the drawings accompanying this specification inwhich is shown one method of constructing an apparatus ac= which hasformedin one therewith a stand- 1 ard 6 provided with a vertical bearing0. cl is another forked portion forming a bearing for a pivot pine uponwhich along arm 7' is mounted. This arm 7 is furnished at one end with ahandle 9 and with a slot it through which a pin is mounted in a fork mpasses. The fork m has connected thereto a vertical rod '12, of suchsize asto slide through the vertical bearing 6. Pinned to.

the lowerend of the rod 72 by means of a pin 12 is a block 9. This blockhas provided at either side thereof grooves in which are mountedlaminated knives 1" upon a pivot 1n .9. p t are flat springs adapted topressthe knives r normally inward. s is a stop for limiting the inwardmovement of the knives. The lever f extends beyondthe pivot pin 0 foradistance and has connected at the extremity one end of a long tensionspring a, the other end'of which spring is suitably attached to the,lower portion of the standard 5.

o is a base plate of wood or other suitable material so located as tobring the neck of the bottle or table resting thereon'at about thecorrect height to be operated upon by the knives.

In order to enable the adjustment to be effected for bottles varyingsomewhat in size, I mount upon the table two circular blocks 10 by meansof eccentrieallyplaced screw pins 2 upon such table, so that bylooseningthe pins and turning the blocks to a similar extent to oneanother the desired amount of adjustment is eflected; For enabling theheight of the table '0 to be adjusted I mount the same upon a flatspring strip 2 which is attached by means of ascrew 3 to the base platea,- the height: of which can be adjusted by regulating another screw l.Formed with the base plate a is anupwardly projecting portion 5 forminga rest for. that portion of the neck of the bottle to'be operated uponby the knives.

Attached to or formed with the rest 5 is a circular sleeve 6 the centerof which comes at about the height of the center of the bottle. In theaperture on the said sleeve is mounted a rod or plug 2 of vulcanizedfiber or other suitable material. The amount by with knives at which thesaid rod or plug project s from the sleeve 6 may be regulated and its'position may be fixed by means of a screw 8.

9 is a collar passing over the sleeve 6' and i adapted to be held in anysuitable position thereon by means of a set screw 10. This sleevecarries a plate 11 provided at the outer end with two projecting pins12. By adjusting the collar 9 upon the sleeve 6 the position of the pinswith respect to the end of the neck of the bottle may be varied. Themethod of using the machine will be readily understood: The requiredadjust ments are first of'all made with respect to the table 0 and otherassociated parts so that the bottles are laid in position upon the tablewith the necks coming upon or above the rest 5 and the end of thestopper or the like against the plug 0 the capsule or the like to bestripped ofi' comes vertically beneath the block 9 carrying the knives.The,

distancebetween the knives 1' isxalso correctly chosen according to thecapsules to be removed, so that the edges of the knives come slightlycloser together than the diameter of the capsule. The knives are nowbrought downby depressingthe handle 9 against the pull of the spring atand theedges of the knives catching in the metal of the capsule, cut themetal and then the edges neck of the bottle cause the knives to'beseparated against the'action of the springs 25, opening out the metal ofthe capsule, owing to the wedge shapeof theends of the knives. Theseeifectivelyloosen the capsule moving farther down and riding over theand leave it in a condition ready to be easily 7 removed, or knocked offby means of the pins 12. After releasing the handle g-so that the blockg and the-knives are raised out of the way owing to the pull ofthespring a the bottle is moved toward the right so that the loosenedcapsule comes against the pins 12 which knock ofi the parts into asuitable receptacle placed beneath the machine. capsules of differentsizes to be removed by the same machine I may, provide blocks 4 I may somake the knives that the distances between them can be adjusted by meansof screw or other adjustments,which adjustment also effects thevariation of the size of the stop. Owing to the cutting devices beingformed the capsules are to be removed. r

Referring to the formof the device shown at Fig. 4c, in this case 13 isa rubber block suitably mounted upon the base plate a of the machine.This rubber block is shaped the sleeve or capsule. r is a'single knife,

of a number of laminae the cut- 7 ting devices can accommodatethemselves to the conformation of the inequalities .of the" necks of.the bottles or the like from which;

In order to enable the 1 difierent distances apart, orf

Ito conform to the contour of the outside of which is preferablylaminated, and which is adapted to be brought down by the action of themachine into contact with the capsule which it cuts and tears, therotation of the sleeve or capsule upon the neck of the bottle beingprevented by its contact with the rubber pad 18.

Fig. 5 shows another modification in which a rubber block I l isprovided furnished with longitudinally extending ribs against which thesleeve or capsule is pressed to prevent its rotation upon the neck ofthe bottle while the knife or set of knives is operating.

Fig. 6 shows another modification in which a ledge 15 is providedfurnished with a chisel-shaped edge, a rubber block 16 being alsoprovided and suitably shaped for the sleeve or capsule to rest within oragainst a recess therein while it is being operated upon by the knife orset of knives 1". In this case should any slight tendency exist for thesleeve or capsule to rotate upon the neck of the bottle in spite of itsfrictional con tact with the block 16, the chisel edge of the ledge 1-5will be forced into the metal of the capsule and assists in cutting andtearing the same.

In the form of the device shown at Fig. 7 the sleeve or capsule restsupon two pivoted chisel-edged knives 17, which knives are pressednormally upward by means of a spring 18. These knives prevent therotation of the capsule or sleeve while it is being operated upon by theknife or set of knives r or if any slight rotation should take place theknives 17 themselves contribute a certain amount of cutting and tearingaction.

Fig. 8 shows a further modified form in which the capsule rests at thebottom upon the base plate or equivalent part aand in which a pivotedknife 19 is provided attached to a vertical. member 20, and pressednormally outward against the sleeve or capsule by means of a spring 21.Chis knife 19 contributes to prevent the sleeve or capsule rotating uponthe neck of the bottle while being operated upon by the knife or set ofknives r or in the event of rotation taking place helps to cut and stripthe capsule from the bottle.

It is to be understood that the method just described of constructingthe apparatus is given merely by way of example, as the details ofconstruction may be varied largely to suit requirements of the articlefrom which the capsule or the like is to be stripped and the class ofcapsule or other device to be removed.

Various means may be provided for adapting the table to receive bottlesor the like of different sizes and for bringing the capsules into thecorrect position to be operated upon by the knives. In place of operating the apparatus by means of a handle it may be operated by means ofa foot lever or by other than manual power. Instead of causing thedevice carrying the knives to move up and down in order to ogerate uponthe neck of the bottle in some cases the knives may be mounted in astationary device and the bottle may be raised or brought against theknives for the same purpose.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United Statesof America is 1. In a machine for removing capsules from bottle necks,the combination of means to prevent rotation of the capsule, meansadapted to cut away said capsule and springs acting on said cuttingmeans, adapted to press said cutting means into said capsule.

2. In a machine for removing capsules, the combination of means torevent rotation of the capsule, laminated cutting means adapted toconform to irregularities in said capsule and springs acting on saidcutting means adapted to press said cutting means into said capsule.

3. In a machine for removing capsules from bottle necks, the combinationof means for holding the capsule, laminated cutting members adapted toconform to irregularities in said capsule, said cutting members adaptedto cut in opposed directions with. respect to said capsule.

4. In a machine for removing capsules from bottle necks, the combinationof a support for the bottle, and a pair of knives for engaging thebottle neck from opposite sides to cut away the capsule and preventrotation during the cutting operation, said knives comprising each aplurality of individually movable members arranged to followirregularities in the capsule, substantially as described.

5. In a machine for removing capsules from bottle necks, the combinationof a support for the bottle neck, a reciprocating head mounted abovesaid support, means for actuating said head, a central stop in saidhead, a pair of knives pivotally mounted in said head and arranged toengage the capsule at opposite sides to prevent rotation during thecutting operation, said knives comprising each a plurality ofindividually movable members adapted to follow irregularities in thecapsule, and comb springs provided with teeth independently engagingeach of the movable members of said knives and normally maintaining thesame against said stop, substantially as described.

6. In a machine for removing capsules, the combination of a support forthe capsule, means for cutting away the capsule, and adjustable meansfor stripping the capsule after the same has been cut, substantially asdescribed.

7. In a machine for removing capsules, the combination of a support forthe capsule, means for cutting away the capsule,

an arm provided with a plurality of strip-- ping pins, and means foradjusting said arm, substantially as described.

8. In a machine for removing capsules from bottles and the like, fixedmeans for supporting the bottle neck, an adjustable table for holdingthe bottles to position the necks upon said fixed support, and means forcutting away the capsule, substantially as described.

9. In a machine for removing capsules from bottles and the like, thecombination of a fixed support for thebottle necks, a table for holdingthe bottles, adjustable means carried by said table for positioningbottles of varyingsize, and means'for cutting away the capsule,substantially as described.

10. In a machine for removing capsules from bottles and the like, thecombination of a fixed support for the bottle necks, a table forsupporting the bottles, means for adjusting the height of said table,means carried by said table for centering the bottles to properlyposition the necks thereof on said'support, and means for cutting awaythe capsules, substantially as described.

11. In a machine for removing capsules from bottles and the like, thecombination of a support for the bottle necks, a table for holding thebottles, means for adjusting said table to accommodate bottles ofvarying size, means for centering different sized bottles to properlyposition the necks thereof on said support, means for cutting away thecapsule, and means for stripping the cut capsules from the bottle necks,substantially as described.

12. In a machine for removing capsules from bottlesand the like, thecombination of a support for the bottle necks, an adjustable table forholding the bottles, means for centering diiferent sized bottles toproperly position the necks thereof on said support, means for cuttingthe capsules, means for stripping the cut capsules from the bottlenecks, and means for adjusting said stripping means, substantially asdescribed.

13. In a machine for removing capsules from bottle necks, thecombination of a frame, a support for the bottle neck mounted on saidframe, an adjustable core associated with said support for engaging theend of the bottle neck, and means mounted on said frame for cuttingawaythe capsule, substantially as described.

from bottles, the combination of a frame, a support for the bottle neckmounted on said frame, a sleeve connected to said support, a coremounted for axial movement through said sleeve, means for adjusting-saidcore,

and means for cutting away the'capsule, substantially as described.

15. In a machinefor removing capsules from bottles, the combination of aframe, a

support for the bottle neck mounted on said 7 frame, a sleeve connectedto said support, an ad ustable core mounted in said sleeve and adaptedto engage the bottle neck, means for cutting away the capsule, and meansfor subsequently strlpping the capsule comprising an arm adjustablymounted on said.

said sleeve for engaging the bottle neck,

stripping means associated with said sleeve, 7

a reciprocating head mounted in said frame,

means for actuating said head, a pairof oppositely disposed knivespivoted in said reclprocating head and adapted to engage the capsule atoppositely disposedpoints to prevent the rotation thereof during thecutting operation, each of said knives compris- "ing a plurality ofindividually movable members, and individual springs for normallymaintaining the members of each of said knives in yielding contact withthe cap sule, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature, in presence of twowitnesses.

HENRY CHARLES BRAUN. IVitnesses: r

W. E. Rooms, 0. J. WORTH.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C.

7 55 14. In a machine for removing capsules

